War: and that's all that's left of us 2017

Editor: So, here we have Małgorzata Serwatka's mixed-media piece, "War: and that's all that's left of us," created in 2017. It's a jumbled collection of objects – consumer goods, toys, even a Darth Vader mask. It strikes me as a commentary on waste and maybe even cultural detritus. What’s your read on this chaotic arrangement? Curator: The choice of objects interests me. They’re not simply refuse, but signifiers. The Darth Vader mask, the Converse sneakers...these are items laden with cultural meaning, part of a shared, perhaps Western, experience. Serwatka seems to be using them to examine the fallout, not just of literal war, but perhaps the more insidious kind: the war of consumerism, the battle for cultural dominance. Is she suggesting that all wars, physical and ideological, eventually lead to similar piles of discarded things? Editor: That's a compelling point about consumerism as a form of war. The bright, almost cheerful colors feel like a jarring contrast to the implied destruction in the title. Curator: Exactly! It is almost Pop-Art like in its engagement with debris from popular culture, though far darker. Where does Serwatka stand in relation to these symbols, to these objects, do you think? Is she a participant or observer? What's her social critique? Editor: I’d guess she's both a participant and an observer, implicating herself in the very culture she critiques. The "us" in the title could mean everyone consuming these goods. The inclusion of children’s toys like teddy bears amplifies the disturbing element. Curator: I agree, these aren't generic objects; these have history, utility and sentimental attachments, yet rendered unusable through consumption or circumstance. It definitely encourages the viewer to re-think their social habits in relation to personal desires. Editor: This has opened up how I view this work and its cultural meaning within society; now I understand more deeply that a work like this might explore social waste produced in the process of war. Curator: Precisely. Art, even seemingly chaotic compositions, often hold carefully chosen cultural cues meant to spark thought-provoking dialogues. The most powerful part is considering how we ourselves fit into the composition.